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Men accused of running an illegal poker machine operation

NORTH HUNTINGDON, Pa. — Two Westmoreland County men are facing charges after investigators uncovered an alleged illegal poker machine operation.

Attorney General Josh Shapiro said at a press conference Friday that his office filed charges against James Tartal, 54, and Edward Deluca, 50, both of Scottdale.  The men are accused of operating an illegal gambling business involving 126 illegal video poker machines in 25 bars in Westmoreland and Fayette counties.

“This was organized crime and big business in Western Pennsylvania, and today we’ve shut this illegal gambling enterprise down,” Shapiro said during the news conference.  “These defendants took in hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegal proceeds, while law-abiding businesses played by the rules. That’s unfair and against the law and its organized criminal activity.”

Investigators said the three-year investigation, “Operation Bar Bluff," revealed Tartal and Deluca operated an illegal gambling business called Zucco Vending. In 2014, state police identified poker machines that were paying out illegal winnings.  The machines were owned by Zucco Vending.

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Throughout the investigation, undercover agents played the machines at several bars and received illegal cash payouts.

Investigators said bar owners would provide cash payouts to customers who accumulated enough credits.  The machines were also equipped with an internal “knock off” devices.  The Attorney General’s Office said both of these aspects made the operation illegal under Pennsylvania Law.

Tartal and Deluca then allegedly removed the illegal proceeds from the poker machines.

In 2015, state police executed search warrants and seized the machines and the bars and clubs.  Investigators also seized $312,000 in cash from safe in a hidden room of Tartal’s home and another $84,000 in cash from a warehouse. Five bank accounts were also seized for a total of $241,422.

The evidence was presented to a statewide grand jury, which recommended charges be filed.

Investigators said Tartal and Deluca turned themselves into police.  The investigation is ongoing.